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douluvme49
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Hi There,
My boyfriend and I want to rent/buy (We havent decided yet) 2 motorbikes in Ho Chi Min City and ride up to Hanoi on our own. I don't have a Canadian drivers lisence though. I have an identification card....
I read online that if we do it as a tour I dont need a lisence as we are with a guide.
What are the chances of getting 'pulled over' and having our lisences checked??? What could happen???? Any suggestions?
My boyfriend has his lisence, and we both ride dirtbikes in Canada ... we don't need a lisence for this as we aren't driving on the street.
Any info would be great!!
#1 Posted: 7/2/2011 - 22:29
Vietnam720
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The worst that can happen after being pulled over is to have your bikes confisicated and kept for 30 days. A fine will be issued (rightfully about US$15). But still you can't take the fine untill after 30 days.
#2 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 07:43
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Here are some tips for motorbike travelling lovers in VN. Chances of being get pulled over by Vietnamese cops ( excluding accidents): Rate from most to least as...1/ Operate motorbike on wrong side of road, or opposite direction in one-way street...2/ Operate motorbike WITHOUT licence plate...3/ Operate motorbike WITHOUT helmet...3/ Operate motorbike with MORE THAN 2 PERSONS in a bike...4/ Overspeed...5/ Operate motorbike with supicious goods(watch out at areas which are closed to border passes...6/ Operate motorbike in ...impaired manners such as drunk, high on pot..7/ Racing with Vietnamese undercovered cops( Undercovered cops have no right to stop you in vn, only traffic cops)...8/ Operate a motorbike which is BIGGER than 125cc...9/ Minor contact into...cop bike on the road...10/ Carry more than 2 little kids in a bike. The end.
#3 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 08:55
douluvme49
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will i be able to get bike insurance with out a lisence if we happen to buy bikes? I guess both bikes could go in my boyfriends name, and i just ride the one.
thanks for the info. by the sounds of it i will be okay riding a bike as long as i am not an idiot!!
#4 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 10:28
caseyprich
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Remember that your travel insurance will most likely not cover you if you get in a motorbike accident without having an intentional drivers licence.
Not sure how it is in Vietnam, but your biggest concern will probably be livestock - not police.
#5 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 12:01
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goonistik
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See part 9.
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=316000
It seems that Vietnam doesn't recognize foreign drivers licenses nor international driving permits. What a bummer.
More info here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293921-i8432-k2689645-Driving_or_Motorbiking_in_Vietnam_It_s_the_law-Vietnam.html
#6 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 13:11
69bertie
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douluvme49
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will i be able to get bike insurance with out a lisence if we happen to buy bikes? I guess both bikes could go in my boyfriends name, and i just ride the one.
thanks for the info. by the sounds of it i will be okay riding a bike as long as i am not an idiot!!
Waste of time buying any bike insurance in Vietnam, as without a license it's invalid (as is the case with any motor vehicle insurance worldwide). $2000USD is about max payout anyway. e.g. might be for a car but you'll find a lot of Vn insurance companies are the same when it comes to the maximum payout figure ..... http://www.hsbc.com.vn/1/PA_1_2_S5/content/vietnam/pdf_app/html/pfs-CarInsuranceRate_13Feb09.pdf
50million vnd is $2500 USD
#7 Posted: 8/2/2011 - 17:46
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Hi, we operate a Vespa tour company in Saigon, and it's definitely true that travel insurers will not cover you if you are driving a vehicle in Vietnam without a Vietnam-issued drivers licence. However, you are covered if you're only riding pillion behind another driver or a guide (doesn't matter if it's with a tour or not). If you're thinking of buying a motorbike in HCMC and riding up to Hanoi, that's a great trip. As several people have said here, traffic laws -- such as they are in Vietnam -- are irrelevant to whether you get pulled over by police and fined. The police will cook up any excuse to pull you over if they feel like it, not much you can do about it. If you are pulled over, 99% of the time the police will simply insist on a money payment on the spot (i.e. a bribe) without issuing a ticket. This can be anywhere from 150,00-500,000VND ($8-25 US). Simplest thing is just pay it and be on your way. Still, a foreigner getting pulled over by police and truly hassled over traffic laws is very, very rare here.
Also, it's not difficult to get a VN license if you already have one in Canada. You can do it here in a single day. Drop us a note if you have any more questions (patrick@vietnamvespaadventures.com) and please stop by Zoom Cafe in Pham Ngu Lao when you arrive in HCMC. Lots of people there can tell you about doing this trip and how best to buy a bike, etc. Cheers, Patrick
#8 Posted: 11/2/2011 - 13:09
69bertie
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You can get a Vn license in a day??? Took me a week, Had to have my UK driving license translated (took two days), 3 months visa as a minimum, residential address. Hand the paperwork in at District 3. License signed for and picked up 7 days later. Bargain of a price....30000 vnd .... £1.
#9 Posted: 13/2/2011 - 09:26
AbgAcid
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No licence, dont ride.
My advice, dont do it. Forget about fines, or pull over by police. Think of the consequences of running somebody on the road. Futhermore if the accident is a fatal one, it will be very very very messy.
AA
#10 Posted: 13/2/2011 - 15:27
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Wind in your hair, flies on your teeth! Yeah, thats what trravel on motorcycle is all about.
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douluvme49
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Burnthisnow - If I do not have a canadian lisence will i have issues, or if i just pay the bribe i should be ok?
#11 Posted: 15/2/2011 - 03:18
burnthisnow
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If you have your passport you should be fine. All they care about is the bribe. They'll tell you what you've done 'wrong,' then they'll suggest you give them money: 200,000 or 300,000 VND. They'll pretend that this is for a ticket/fine, but it just goes in their pockets. You can try to bargain if you like, it's common. Or you can just pay it and be on your way right away. Best thing is to be friendly and pleasant about the whole procedure, if it happens. That's how all the Vietnamese handle it.
#12 Posted: 15/2/2011 - 11:19
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hi,
This is not a good Idea to even rent a motor-bike in Vietnam, in a land which no one care about himself even. i was in HCMC and a motor bike driver catch my foot when i wanted to cross the street , maybe you go and do it with yourself and nothing happend to you But generaly advice is not to do it, cuz nobody is familiar with vietnamese driving culture expect themselves
Have fun
#13 Posted: 19/2/2011 - 22:51
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We travelled through Vietnam ofr 2 months and bought a motorbike in Hanoi and made our way through the country down to Saigon.
We only had 1 bike ( a 125cc Suzuki) for the 2 of us with both our backpacks strapped on (we got custom racks made) and it was great. It may seem like too much for one bike but we never broke down once, but we did get her checked out by mechanics along the way.
We never had any problems with police. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact we bought a less powerful bike, so we didn't stick out like a sore thumb while we were riding.
My fiance only rode the bike and even though it is illegal for foreigners to own a bike in vietnam, we bought one with a Vietnamese persons name on it. Yes, there is a risk in doing this, but like I said because we bought a less powerful bike, we only road about 4 hours a day and were careful, I think that really helped us in not getting pulled over by the police.
As for the crazy driving everyone talks about-yes it is busy in the cities, but it is doable. Have a practice riding first, keep up with the flow of the traffic, when on highways keep over to side of the road as much as possible. Also the Vietnamese use their arms a lot to indicate and to tell people where they are moving too. It may seem strange but I started doing this while on the back of the bike when we were turning left etc (i would stick out my left had and shake it a bit) and I think that really helped. Doing what they do and know worked well. A lot of the road rules etc from your own country don't really apply in Vietnam-work with what they do!
Feel free to email us directly if you have any other questions: admin [at] positiveworldtravel [dot] com
Cheers!
Elise
#14 Posted: 9/3/2011 - 01:15
stephenpham
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Not easy to bike from South to North of Vietnam, if you are foreigner
#15 Posted: 19/6/2012 - 02:27
JonMyers
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I've lived in Saigon for 3 months now, and will be here another 3 or 4 months.
I have a motorbike, and I don't have a license.
I used to have a motorcycle endorsement back in the states, but I'm a perma-traveler, and my drivers license expired.
Anyhow, you won't have any problems with police as long as you don't take the risks, which others have outlined. You shouldn't be anyways.
That said, there are a lot of traffic nuances, which are unique to Saigon.
For example, the motorbikes generally all stay on the right hand side, and cars stay on the left. Obviously, there is a lot of cross-over in lanes from both vehicle types. Especially when turning or when a taxi driver gets excited and spots a fare on the side of the road.
You'll have to learn not to panic.
Also, be very careful about where you park your motorbike. It could get stolen. When you go out only park it with security. Never just leave it on the sidewalk, which is an invitation for theft.
My advice is to get here, and wait a few days, and take in the city on the back of a motorbike taxi. See it how feels, see the flow of traffic, and take in all the craziness that goes with it.
Also, be very careful about the motorbike you rent. DON'T rent a bike from Chi Cafe, which is recommended on this site. I ended up returning 3 different motorbikes from there. They were all horribly maintained, and downright dangerous from bad brakes to second gear only working to rickety loose bearings in the steering head.
I found a lady on Craig's List by the name of Thamle who rents motorbikes that are well maintained. She'll also drop it off at your house/ apartment or hotel. Her number is 090-3177407. I'm paying $1,000,000.00vnd/ month ($50 bucks) for a newer Sym Attilla, which is an awesome bike.
One last thing, which I haven't seen anyone mention is this - expect to surrender your passport or at least a driver's license from your home country to whomever you're renting from. I rent an apartment here, so I gave the lady I rented from a copy of my rental agreement (proof), and gave her my driver's license from back home, and held onto my passport. A lot of places will demand you give it up.
#16 Posted: 25/6/2012 - 05:02
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Hey there,
I can tell you first hand that i travelled from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City just over a year ago, there were 4 of us all from Canada, we bought the chinese copy bikes in Sapa and made our journey from Hanoi down.
It was the most amazing trip i have ever done, my girlfriend who was on her own bike did get stopped but as soon as she started speaking english they let her go on her way.
Yes the traffic can be intimidating at first, it is ridiculously busy in the main cities but it all flows and works, rules of the road are few and far between with everyone picking their own path and turning whenever they feel like but you just use that little horn button on your bike every 5 seconds and keep a good eye on everything around u and you should be safe.
The big danger isnt the other bikes but the buses and big trucks on the main highway! They dont care about any of the rules of the road so stay out of their way and stick to the side of the road!! Most of your trip will be on the ho chi minh highway and smaller roads but unfortunately you have to take the main highway at some point in your trip.
No insurance for any of us and although we made it safe and sound through vietnam, it is a big risk and you have to be extra careful and attentive as to avoid the many dangers while on the road.
But...it is the most amazing way to see vietnam!! and will surely be an unforgettable trip!!
Be safe and wear a helmet that will actually protect your head! 2 of my friends wore the baseball cap style helmet that provides zero protection!
Chris
#17 Posted: 25/6/2012 - 17:11
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Hints for riding motorbike in Vietnam for Foreigners(Supplemental)....1/Only Vietnamese cops or Custom staffs/or Highway robbers riding motorcycle which is bigger than 125cc in Vietnam..2/ It is EITHER illegal OR RARE for any individual, Foreigner or Vietnamese to own and ride a motorbike which is ..BIGGER 175cc..3/ It's very easy to obtain Vietnamese Motorbike licence as long as you will be ready for the test( in VIETNAMESE WRITINGS)...3/ To Foreingers, the helmet NOT ONLY PROTECT YOUR HEAD but also help you to blend in in with the main flow of Vietnamese traffic and..NOT TO BE STUCK OUT and CAUGHT ATTENTION by Vietnamese cops for pulling over. The end....
#18 Posted: 26/8/2012 - 17:15
Vietnam720
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Wearing face mask and jackets will help you to blend into the crowd too
#19 Posted: 26/8/2012 - 18:59
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PULLED OVER BY VIETNAMESE COPS WHILE RIDING MOTORBIKE IN VIETNAM. Well, back to the topic, the answer is IT IS RARELY. Reason: Before 2006, no one has a licence to ride a motorbike in Vietnam. Vietnamese people, also cops have been thinking like that for....the first day there was presence of motorbike in VN. Figure it out, Buddy. No adventure then no fun. Think like a Vietnamese cop: Why bother a white guy/girl when he or she couldn't speak the language? The fact that a Foreigner who couldn't speak the language and having the ball to ride motorbike in VN that is cool enough to....LET HE or SHE goes without hassles. Myself, paying bribe ONCE and no accident for + 2thousands of kilometers riding motorbike in Vietnam-Again, no insurance, no licence and sometimes...no helmet either....Use your common sense and be careful for...big trucks, buses because on the HWs of VN, these monsters somtimes pass you as of there is no presence of you on the road.
#20 Posted: 27/8/2012 - 07:56
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I believe it is about 1700kilometers b/t HCMC and Hanoi. Bicycling would take you a whole month, non-stop. That's not mention about Mekong Delta region of VN. Cycling tour of VN like you think? Better prepare to live in Vietnam for ...6 months on a row, Buddy!
#21 Posted: 27/8/2012 - 23:57
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Maybe necessary...
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#22 Posted: 28/8/2012 - 00:11
clayinAsia
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Motorcycles can be purchased and sold by foreigners. Manytravelers opt to buy their own bike and drive it throughout the country. A lotof drivers prefer to start in Hanoi and drive to Saigon on the world-famous HoChi Minh trail popularized by the British "Top Gear" series. Manypeople are unsure about the legality of purchasing bikes in Vietnam.Technically it is illegal for foreigners to own bikes in Vietnam without theproper documentation. However, this law is not enforced and thousands flock toVietnam annually to buy bikes and ride them all over the country. It ispossible to convert your driving license from your home country to a Vietnameselicense, but few people go through this trouble. It is a well-known fact amongriders that the police in Vietnam are highly unlikely to carry out routinetraffic stops on foreigners. As long as the driver cares for his or her ownsafety and the safety of other motorist they can go the entire trip withouthassles. Most vendors do not sell bikes they only rent them. There are sometrusted companies selling bikes in Hanoi with good track records.
Contact the foreign owned and operated Vietnam Motorbikes
http://www.vietnam-motorbikes.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vietnam-Motorbikes/368049586596708.
0084-1285-963559
#23 Posted: 30/8/2012 - 04:48
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So I came across this thread after just being stopped north of Ha Giang a few hours ago. Let me first say that I'm an asian American and people mistake me for Vietnamese all the time so the idea of wearing full face helmets and big jackets might do more harm than good. They were stopping almost everyone. I didn't do enough research to find out you need a license and insurance to drive in Vietnam, stupid I know. Anyways, I'm hoping it doesn't happen again. They wanted 600,000 dong but then dropped it to 200,000 but then eventually they let me go. One guy was nice, the other guy not so much. I don't know how common these check points are but I am very close to the military area near the Chinese border.
#24 Posted: 19/10/2012 - 07:04
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I will be going to Vietnam in June 2013 and wish to obtain a Vietnamese drivers licence. I noticed that a company called An Khang is offering this service on Travelfish (post no 23 - 30/8/12). Has anyone heard of this company and/or used the service? This seems to be an easy way to get a licence - I have a full UK driving car and motorbike licence. The VN licence will be sent to my UK address via DHL (additional cost) or I could collect it in Ho Chi Minh city. The cost will be $75 and I am wondering if this is legal or a scam as I do not have to make a personal appearance in any VN office.
#25 Posted: 9/5/2013 - 02:21